The effects of Rajyoga mindfulness meditation training on heart rate variability in panic disorder: A randomized controlled trial.
Kamlesh Jha, Pankaj Kumar, Yogesh Kumar, C P Ganashree, C B Tripathi, B K Shrikant, Arundhathi Kumari
Indian journal of psychiatry March 1, 2025 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_323_24 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPatients with panic disorder who completed eight weeks of Rajyoga mindfulness meditation training showed significant increases in heart rate variability measures—SDRR, RMSSD, pNN50, and total power—compared to a waitlist control group receiving standard treatment alone. The LF/HF ratio decreased in the meditation group, indicating a shift toward greater parasympathetic activity. These findings suggest that Rajyoga meditation may improve autonomic regulation and could serve as a beneficial adjunctive intervention for panic disorder.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 110 |
| Population | Patients with panic disorder recruited from a psychiatry department in India |
| Intervention | Rajyoga meditation |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Heart rate variability Rajyoga Mind–body therapies |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Eight weeks of Rajyoga mindfulness meditation training improved heart rate variability and parasympathetic activity in patients with panic disorder compared to standard treatment alone. |
Abstract
Panic disorder is associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction and reduced heart rate variability (HRV). Enhancing HRV may help mitigate symptoms of panic disorder. This study investigated the effects of Rajyoga mindfulness meditation training on HRV in patients with panic disorder. This prospective randomized controlled trial included 110 patients with panic disorder recruited from a psychiatry department in India. Participants were randomized to either an 8-week Rajyoga meditation intervention (n = 55) or a waitlist control group (n = 55) receiving standard treatment alone. HRV was measured at baseline and after 8 weeks using time domain (SDRR, RMSSD, pNN50) and frequency domain (total power, HF, LF, LF/HF ratio) parameters. At baseline, there were no significant differences in demographics or HRV parameters between groups. After 8 weeks, the Rajyoga group showed significant increases in SDRR, RMSSD, pNN50, and total power compared to controls (P < 0.05), indicating improved parasympathetic activity. The LF/HF ratio decreased in the Rajyoga group versus controls, suggesting a shift toward parasympathetic predominance. Eight weeks of Rajyoga mindfulness meditation training improved HRV and parasympathetic activity in patients with panic disorder compared to standard treatment alone. Rajyoga meditation may be a beneficial adjunctive intervention for enhancing autonomic regulation in panic disorder.